Clinical treatment outside hospital; Other : Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

Mr G complained about care and treatment provided to him by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The investigation looked at his concerns that there was an undue delay in carrying out surgery to remove his prostate cancer, and that hormone therapy administered in May 2021 was not clinically appropriate.

The Ombudsman found that there was an unacceptable delay in carrying out Mr G’s prostatectomy. There was also a failure to discuss the 3 main treatment/monitoring approaches available at that time along with the risks and benefits. As a result, Mr G was denied an opportunity to make a fully informed decision about whether to consent to radiotherapy and the hormone therapy which went with it. This complaint was upheld. In relation to the second complaint, the Ombudsman found that while it was reasonable to offer hormone therapy, it was not appropriate to give Mr G a 6-month dose rather than a smaller monthly dose. This deprived Mr G an opportunity to minimise the severity and duration of the side-effects he experienced from hormone therapy. This complaint was also upheld.
The Ombudsman’s recommendations included that the Health Board should apologise to Mr G for the failings identified and make a payment to him of £750 in respect of the injustice arising from the inappropriate prescription of a 6-month dose of hormone therapy. The Ombudsman also recommended that the Health Board review its processes to ensure that the risks of treatment options are appropriately explored through discussion with patients. The Health Board agreed to implement the recommendations.